Word of praise for the the 51-year-old actor, who died of a heart attack while vacationing in Italy, came from all facets of his life. His son Michael recalled visits to Park Ridge and hearing "every story about every place here."

Lori Joachim Fredrics, Gandolfini's classmate from the Park Ridge High School Class of 1979, who was behind the idea posted on her Facebook page that the ceremony "was a celebration of James Gandolfini's life and a great day in Park Ridge." She noted that Gandolfini remained active in the town after he became famous and that "James Gandolfini Way" is a way that Park Ridge can "communicate this pride in a visible way”.

Park Ridge's former mayor and neighbor to the Gandolfini's when he was growing up remember him as a "skinny" seven-year-old and did not expect him to be famous.

Mike Meidanis, the owner of the Park Ridge Diner told the Record that Gandolfini came back often even after his mother died. “He was a humble man. He was so kind to everyone.You could never tell he was a big star.”